Sourdough starter and long term feeding
I have a sourdough starter that I started about 3-4 months ago with bread flour and it's done really well. I am not baking a lot right now and would like to refrigerate it knowing that I need to feed it at least once a week. Can I feed it with some rye flour and bread flour? I'd like to add some rye flour to the starter to keep it happy. Would appreciate some guidance. I mostly make rye bread but I do make other types that use bread flour and a mix of whole wheat and rye. thanks. I tried to find this answer in the search but couldn't find it.
Best Answer
A well-established starter will be fine in the refrigerator, even (in my experience) if you go well beyond weekly feedings. You could also freeze it, though I have not done that myself. No matter what my feeding schedule, or length of storage, I usually plan for a few days of counter-top feeding and revival before baking, just to ensure peak activity. I've used all sorts of flour combinations. For the home baker, it makes little difference, so yes...you can use all rye or a combination of rye and wheat.
Pictures about "Sourdough starter and long term feeding"
Quick Answer about "Sourdough starter and long term feeding"
Sourdough starter can be frozen, if you would like to store it for a long period without feeding. To do this, double the amount of flour added at feeding so that it is a very thick paste, place in an airtight container and freeze for up to 1 year.How do you maintain a sourdough starter long term?
For best long-term storage, dry itHow often should a sourdough starter be fed to maintain an active culture?
When maintained at room temperature, the sourdough starter should be fed every 12 to 24 hours, depending on the specific starter and culturing conditions.How long can you keep feeding sourdough starter?
Feeding sourdough starter You can leave the starter in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days at a time between feedings. We recommend feeding sourdough starter at least twice a week for best results. Remember, if you're planning to make bread on a given day, you'll feed sourdough starter the night before you bake.Can I feed my sourdough starter every day?
Maintaining your sourdough starter in the refrigerator For most home bakers, daily feeding is impractical; so you'll need to store your starter in the refrigerator and feed it once a week.Understanding Sourdough Starter | feeding, ratios, leaven, when to use, what to feed
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Jill Wellington, Rachel Claire, Rachel Claire, Jimmy Chan